Katy Perry to perform at AFL Grand Final

Pop superstar Katy Perry will headline the pre-game entertainment at the AFL Grand Final in September, organisers have confirmed.

The singer of Roar, Teenage Dream, and Firework is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, though her most recent release, Woman’s World, pitched as a feminist empowerment anthem, along with its music video, was torn apart by critics.

Katy Perry in the music video for her song Woman’s World.

In a statement on Instagram on Thursday morning, Perry said she was excited to return to the MCG - where she performed at the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup final in 2019 - to sing in front of a capacity crowd.

“I’m so excited to be back in Australia and back at the mighty MCG to perform in front of 100,000 of the best and loudest fans in the world at ... this year’s Toyota AFL Grand Final. See you in September Oy Oy Oy!” she said.

Her appearance on that one day in September will come just 8 days after her album lands, so Australian audiences might be the first to see her perform new material.

Woman’s World, the first single from the American superstar’s upcoming album, inspired Rolling Stone to ask: is this the worst comeback song of all time?

A still from Perry’s clip for Woman’s World.Credit: Internet

Touted as a feminist empowerment anthem, the song’s lyrics and accompanying clip were criticised as anything but. One of the song’s co-writers is Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, Perry’s long-term collaborator was accused of drugging and raping fellow pop star Kesha. Gottwald has always denied the claim, and the allegations led to a decade of legal action between the pair, which they settled last year. Gottwald was never criminally charged.

The reaction to the track earlier this month prompted Perry to respond. She claimed it was satire, releasing a behind-the-scenes video on her social media in which she – dressed as a sexy Rosie the Riveter – explained why specific elements are “sarcastic” and “very on the nose” but that only fuelled the pushback further.

Perry, 39, hit the charts with I Kissed a Girl in 2008. In 2015, she performed at the US NFL Super Bowl XLIX.

International acts have had mixed reviews as the pre-show entertainment at the AFL Grand Final over the years, most memorably Meatloaf in 2011 with a performance many prefer to forget. Last year, American rock band KISS - amid their farewell tour and 50th year as a band - delivered a vocally strained but ultimately joyous set, buoyed by hundreds of junior dancers in KISS make-up and costumes.

Some junior conscripts in the KISS army for the 2023 AFL Grand Final.Credit: Jonathan DiMaggio

In a statement via the AFL on Thursday, Mushroom Group chief executive Matt Gudinski said: “Following the incredibly well-received performances from Robbie Williams (2022) and KISS (2023) I’m thrilled that Mushroom has upped the ante once again, securing global icon Katy Perry”.

“We are currently working with Katy Perry’s team and the AFL to deliver a show that’ll continue to be the pinnacle of sporting entertainment in Australia.”

Further acts will be announced in coming weeks.

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